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Psychology has long placed an emphasis on the contributions of male psychologists such as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, and John B. Watson. The important contributions of female psychologists are often overlooked. There were many women in psychology, however, who made critical contributions and helped shape thedevelopment of the psychology field.Where Are All the Women in Psychology History?The dominance of male thinkers on lists ofimportant pioneers in early psychologycertainly makes it seem as if they were all men, but the reality is that women have been contributing to psychology since its earliest days. Estimates suggest that in the early 1900s, roughly 12% of psychologists in the United States were women.Several of these pioneering women psychologists faced considerable discrimination, obstacles, and difficulties. Many were not allowed to study with men, denied degrees they had rightfully earned, or found it difficult to secure academic positions that would allow them to research and publish.Women have made many important and groundbreaking contributions to the field of psychology, often despite facing considerable discrimination due to their sex.These women deserve to be recognized for their pioneering work. The following are just a few of the women who helped shape psychology.
Psychology has long placed an emphasis on the contributions of male psychologists such as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, and John B. Watson. The important contributions of female psychologists are often overlooked. There were many women in psychology, however, who made critical contributions and helped shape thedevelopment of the psychology field.
Where Are All the Women in Psychology History?
The dominance of male thinkers on lists ofimportant pioneers in early psychologycertainly makes it seem as if they were all men, but the reality is that women have been contributing to psychology since its earliest days. Estimates suggest that in the early 1900s, roughly 12% of psychologists in the United States were women.
Several of these pioneering women psychologists faced considerable discrimination, obstacles, and difficulties. Many were not allowed to study with men, denied degrees they had rightfully earned, or found it difficult to secure academic positions that would allow them to research and publish.
Women have made many important and groundbreaking contributions to the field of psychology, often despite facing considerable discrimination due to their sex.
These women deserve to be recognized for their pioneering work. The following are just a few of the women who helped shape psychology.
1Anna FreudWhen most people hear “Freud,” Sigmund is probably the first name that comes to mind. However, the famous psychoanalyst’s daughterAnna Freudwas a well-known and influential psychologist in her own right.Anna Freud not only expanded upon her father’s ideas, but she also influenced other thinkers such asErik Erikson. Among her many accomplishments were introducing the concept ofdefense mechanismsand expanding interest in the field ofchild psychology.Major AccomplishmentsExpanded child psychology fieldDeveloped the concept of defense mechanisms
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Anna FreudWhen most people hear “Freud,” Sigmund is probably the first name that comes to mind. However, the famous psychoanalyst’s daughterAnna Freudwas a well-known and influential psychologist in her own right.Anna Freud not only expanded upon her father’s ideas, but she also influenced other thinkers such asErik Erikson. Among her many accomplishments were introducing the concept ofdefense mechanismsand expanding interest in the field ofchild psychology.Major AccomplishmentsExpanded child psychology fieldDeveloped the concept of defense mechanisms
Anna Freud
When most people hear “Freud,” Sigmund is probably the first name that comes to mind. However, the famous psychoanalyst’s daughterAnna Freudwas a well-known and influential psychologist in her own right.
Anna Freud not only expanded upon her father’s ideas, but she also influenced other thinkers such asErik Erikson. Among her many accomplishments were introducing the concept ofdefense mechanismsand expanding interest in the field ofchild psychology.
Major AccomplishmentsExpanded child psychology fieldDeveloped the concept of defense mechanisms
Major Accomplishments
Expanded child psychology fieldDeveloped the concept of defense mechanisms
2Mary Whiton CalkinsMary Whiton Calkinsstudied at Harvard with some of the most eminent thinkers of the time, including William JamesandHugo Münsterberg, despite never being given approval for formal admission. She completed all of the requirements for a doctorate, but Harvard refused to grant her a degree on the grounds that she was a woman.Regardless, Calkins went on to become the first female president of theAmerican Psychological Association(APA). During her career, she wrote over a hundred professional papers on psychology topics, developed the paired-association technique, and became known for her work in the area of self-psychology.Major AccomplishmentsFirst female president of the APADeveloped the paired-association technique
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Mary Whiton CalkinsMary Whiton Calkinsstudied at Harvard with some of the most eminent thinkers of the time, including William JamesandHugo Münsterberg, despite never being given approval for formal admission. She completed all of the requirements for a doctorate, but Harvard refused to grant her a degree on the grounds that she was a woman.Regardless, Calkins went on to become the first female president of theAmerican Psychological Association(APA). During her career, she wrote over a hundred professional papers on psychology topics, developed the paired-association technique, and became known for her work in the area of self-psychology.Major AccomplishmentsFirst female president of the APADeveloped the paired-association technique
Mary Whiton Calkins
Mary Whiton Calkinsstudied at Harvard with some of the most eminent thinkers of the time, including William JamesandHugo Münsterberg, despite never being given approval for formal admission. She completed all of the requirements for a doctorate, but Harvard refused to grant her a degree on the grounds that she was a woman.
Regardless, Calkins went on to become the first female president of theAmerican Psychological Association(APA). During her career, she wrote over a hundred professional papers on psychology topics, developed the paired-association technique, and became known for her work in the area of self-psychology.
Major AccomplishmentsFirst female president of the APADeveloped the paired-association technique
First female president of the APADeveloped the paired-association technique
3Mary AinsworthMary Ainsworthwas an important developmental psychologist. Her work demonstrated the importance of healthy childhood attachments, and she pioneered the use of a technique known as the “Strange Situation” assessment.In her research on mother-child attachments and interactions, Ainsworth had a mother and a child sit in an unfamiliar room. Researchers would then observe the child’s reactions to various situations, including a stranger entering the room, being left alone with the stranger, and the mother’s return to the room.Ainsworth’s groundbreaking work had a major influence on our understanding ofattachment stylesand how these styles contribute to behavior later in life.Major AccomplishmentsContributed to the understanding of attachment styles
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Mary AinsworthMary Ainsworthwas an important developmental psychologist. Her work demonstrated the importance of healthy childhood attachments, and she pioneered the use of a technique known as the “Strange Situation” assessment.In her research on mother-child attachments and interactions, Ainsworth had a mother and a child sit in an unfamiliar room. Researchers would then observe the child’s reactions to various situations, including a stranger entering the room, being left alone with the stranger, and the mother’s return to the room.Ainsworth’s groundbreaking work had a major influence on our understanding ofattachment stylesand how these styles contribute to behavior later in life.Major AccomplishmentsContributed to the understanding of attachment styles
Mary Ainsworth
Mary Ainsworthwas an important developmental psychologist. Her work demonstrated the importance of healthy childhood attachments, and she pioneered the use of a technique known as the “Strange Situation” assessment.
In her research on mother-child attachments and interactions, Ainsworth had a mother and a child sit in an unfamiliar room. Researchers would then observe the child’s reactions to various situations, including a stranger entering the room, being left alone with the stranger, and the mother’s return to the room.
Ainsworth’s groundbreaking work had a major influence on our understanding ofattachment stylesand how these styles contribute to behavior later in life.
Major AccomplishmentsContributed to the understanding of attachment styles
Contributed to the understanding of attachment styles
4Leta Stetter HollingworthLeta Stetter Hollingworthwas an early pioneer of psychology in the United States. She studied with Edward Thorndikeand made a name for herself for her research on intelligence and gifted children.Another of Hollingworth’s important contributions was her research on the psychology of women.The prevailing opinion at the time was that women were both intellectually inferior to men and essentially semi-invalid when they were menstruating. Hollingworth challenged these assumptions, and her research demonstrated that women were as intelligent and capable as men were, no matter what time of the month it was.Her many accomplishments are perhaps even more remarkable considering the fact that she not only faced considerable obstacles due to gender discrimination but also died at the age of 53. Despite a life cut short, her influence and contributions to psychology were impressive.Major AccomplishmentsProved that women were equals during her research in women’s psychology
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Leta Stetter HollingworthLeta Stetter Hollingworthwas an early pioneer of psychology in the United States. She studied with Edward Thorndikeand made a name for herself for her research on intelligence and gifted children.Another of Hollingworth’s important contributions was her research on the psychology of women.The prevailing opinion at the time was that women were both intellectually inferior to men and essentially semi-invalid when they were menstruating. Hollingworth challenged these assumptions, and her research demonstrated that women were as intelligent and capable as men were, no matter what time of the month it was.Her many accomplishments are perhaps even more remarkable considering the fact that she not only faced considerable obstacles due to gender discrimination but also died at the age of 53. Despite a life cut short, her influence and contributions to psychology were impressive.Major AccomplishmentsProved that women were equals during her research in women’s psychology
Leta Stetter Hollingworth
Leta Stetter Hollingworthwas an early pioneer of psychology in the United States. She studied with Edward Thorndikeand made a name for herself for her research on intelligence and gifted children.Another of Hollingworth’s important contributions was her research on the psychology of women.
The prevailing opinion at the time was that women were both intellectually inferior to men and essentially semi-invalid when they were menstruating. Hollingworth challenged these assumptions, and her research demonstrated that women were as intelligent and capable as men were, no matter what time of the month it was.
Her many accomplishments are perhaps even more remarkable considering the fact that she not only faced considerable obstacles due to gender discrimination but also died at the age of 53. Despite a life cut short, her influence and contributions to psychology were impressive.
Major AccomplishmentsProved that women were equals during her research in women’s psychology
Proved that women were equals during her research in women’s psychology
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Karen Horney
Her outspoken refutation of Freud’s ideas helped draw greater attention to the psychology of women. Hertheory of neurotic needsand belief that people were capable of taking a personal role in their own mental health were among her many contributions to the field of psychology.
Major AccomplishmentsDeveloped the theory of neurotic needsDeveloped the concept of “womb envy"Contributed the idea that people can influence their own mental health
Developed the theory of neurotic needsDeveloped the concept of “womb envy"Contributed the idea that people can influence their own mental health
6Melanie KleinPsychoanalystMelanie Kleinplayed a pivotal role in developingplay therapy, a technique commonly used to help children express their feelings and experiences in a natural and helpful way. Through her work with children, Klein observed that children often utilize play as one of their primary means of communication.Since young children aren’t capable of some of the more commonly used Freudian techniques such asfree association, Klein utilized play therapy to investigate children’s unconscious feelings, anxieties, and experiences. Her work led to a major disagreement with Anna Freud, who believed that younger children could not be psychoanalyzed.Klein suggested that analyzing a child’s actions during play allowed the therapist to explore how various anxieties impact the development ofthe ego and superego. Kleinian psychoanalysis remains a major school of thought within the field of psychoanalysis.Major AccomplishmentsMajor contributions to the field of play therapyDiscovered that children communicate through play
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Melanie KleinPsychoanalystMelanie Kleinplayed a pivotal role in developingplay therapy, a technique commonly used to help children express their feelings and experiences in a natural and helpful way. Through her work with children, Klein observed that children often utilize play as one of their primary means of communication.Since young children aren’t capable of some of the more commonly used Freudian techniques such asfree association, Klein utilized play therapy to investigate children’s unconscious feelings, anxieties, and experiences. Her work led to a major disagreement with Anna Freud, who believed that younger children could not be psychoanalyzed.Klein suggested that analyzing a child’s actions during play allowed the therapist to explore how various anxieties impact the development ofthe ego and superego. Kleinian psychoanalysis remains a major school of thought within the field of psychoanalysis.Major AccomplishmentsMajor contributions to the field of play therapyDiscovered that children communicate through play
Melanie Klein
PsychoanalystMelanie Kleinplayed a pivotal role in developingplay therapy, a technique commonly used to help children express their feelings and experiences in a natural and helpful way. Through her work with children, Klein observed that children often utilize play as one of their primary means of communication.
Since young children aren’t capable of some of the more commonly used Freudian techniques such asfree association, Klein utilized play therapy to investigate children’s unconscious feelings, anxieties, and experiences. Her work led to a major disagreement with Anna Freud, who believed that younger children could not be psychoanalyzed.
Klein suggested that analyzing a child’s actions during play allowed the therapist to explore how various anxieties impact the development ofthe ego and superego. Kleinian psychoanalysis remains a major school of thought within the field of psychoanalysis.
Major AccomplishmentsMajor contributions to the field of play therapyDiscovered that children communicate through play
Major contributions to the field of play therapyDiscovered that children communicate through play
7Mamie Phipps ClarkIn textbooks,Mamie Phipps Clarkis often only mentioned in passing. Yet, she made many important contributions to psychology, including the development of the Clark Doll Test, her research on race, and her role in the famous 1954Brown vs. Board of Educationcase.Clark became the first Black woman to earn a degree from Columbia University. Despite considerable prejudice based on both her race and her sex, she went on to become an influential psychologist. Her research on racial identity and self-esteem helped pave the way for future research on self-concept among minorities.Major AccomplishmentsFirst Black woman to receive a degree from Columbia UniversityResearched racism’s impact on Black children in the famous “Doll Test” experiment
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Mamie Phipps ClarkIn textbooks,Mamie Phipps Clarkis often only mentioned in passing. Yet, she made many important contributions to psychology, including the development of the Clark Doll Test, her research on race, and her role in the famous 1954Brown vs. Board of Educationcase.Clark became the first Black woman to earn a degree from Columbia University. Despite considerable prejudice based on both her race and her sex, she went on to become an influential psychologist. Her research on racial identity and self-esteem helped pave the way for future research on self-concept among minorities.Major AccomplishmentsFirst Black woman to receive a degree from Columbia UniversityResearched racism’s impact on Black children in the famous “Doll Test” experiment
Mamie Phipps Clark
In textbooks,Mamie Phipps Clarkis often only mentioned in passing. Yet, she made many important contributions to psychology, including the development of the Clark Doll Test, her research on race, and her role in the famous 1954Brown vs. Board of Educationcase.
Clark became the first Black woman to earn a degree from Columbia University. Despite considerable prejudice based on both her race and her sex, she went on to become an influential psychologist. Her research on racial identity and self-esteem helped pave the way for future research on self-concept among minorities.
Major AccomplishmentsFirst Black woman to receive a degree from Columbia UniversityResearched racism’s impact on Black children in the famous “Doll Test” experiment
First Black woman to receive a degree from Columbia UniversityResearched racism’s impact on Black children in the famous “Doll Test” experiment
8
Christine Ladd-Franklin
Christine Ladd-Franklin’s role as a female leader in psychology began early in life, as both her mother and aunt were staunch supporters of women’s rights. This early influence not only helped her succeed in her field despite considerable opposition, but it also inspired her later work advocating for women’s rights in academia.
Ladd-Franklin challenged one of the leading male psychologists of the day,Edward Titchener, for not allowing women into his group of experimentalists. She studied at Johns Hopkins University and completed a dissertation titled “The Algebra of Logic”. However, the school did not permit women to receive a Ph.D. at that time.
Ladd-Franklin went on to spend time in Germany studying color vision with Hermann von Helmholtz and Arthur Konig.She eventually rejected Helmholtz’stheory of color visionto develop her own.
Major AccomplishmentsAdvocated for women’s rights in academic fieldsDeveloped a theory of color vision
Advocated for women’s rights in academic fieldsDeveloped a theory of color vision
9Margaret Floy WashburnMargaret Floy Washburn was the first woman to be awarded aPh.D. in psychology. She conducted her graduate studies with Edward B. Titchener and was his first graduate student.Like many women on this list, Washburn’s work in psychology took place at a time when women were often denied positions in academia based on their gender. Despite this, she became a well-respected researcher, writer, and lecturer.Washburn’s primary research interests were in the areas of animal cognition and basic physiological processes. She strongly influencedcomparative psychologyand developed a motor theory of cognition suggesting that the body’s movements had an influence on thought.Major AccomplishmentsFirst woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychologyMade strides in the fields of animal cognition and motor theory
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Margaret Floy WashburnMargaret Floy Washburn was the first woman to be awarded aPh.D. in psychology. She conducted her graduate studies with Edward B. Titchener and was his first graduate student.Like many women on this list, Washburn’s work in psychology took place at a time when women were often denied positions in academia based on their gender. Despite this, she became a well-respected researcher, writer, and lecturer.Washburn’s primary research interests were in the areas of animal cognition and basic physiological processes. She strongly influencedcomparative psychologyand developed a motor theory of cognition suggesting that the body’s movements had an influence on thought.Major AccomplishmentsFirst woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychologyMade strides in the fields of animal cognition and motor theory
Margaret Floy Washburn
Margaret Floy Washburn was the first woman to be awarded aPh.D. in psychology. She conducted her graduate studies with Edward B. Titchener and was his first graduate student.
Like many women on this list, Washburn’s work in psychology took place at a time when women were often denied positions in academia based on their gender. Despite this, she became a well-respected researcher, writer, and lecturer.
Washburn’s primary research interests were in the areas of animal cognition and basic physiological processes. She strongly influencedcomparative psychologyand developed a motor theory of cognition suggesting that the body’s movements had an influence on thought.
Major AccomplishmentsFirst woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychologyMade strides in the fields of animal cognition and motor theory
First woman to receive a Ph.D. in psychologyMade strides in the fields of animal cognition and motor theory
10
Major AccomplishmentsFirst chairwoman of the Department of Psychology at Stanford UniversityInfluenced how people view gender roles and the psychology of the sexes
First chairwoman of the Department of Psychology at Stanford UniversityInfluenced how people view gender roles and the psychology of the sexes
Women In Psychology TodayMany women made important contributions to the early development of psychology as a science. While they were once a minority in psychology, the tides have turned dramatically.According to a 2017 report, women make up more than half the members of the American Psychological Association, and 75% of psychology graduate students are women.Based on this trend, we’re likely to see many more names of women psychologists in the future, noting their continued contributions to this field.
Women In Psychology Today
Many women made important contributions to the early development of psychology as a science. While they were once a minority in psychology, the tides have turned dramatically.
According to a 2017 report, women make up more than half the members of the American Psychological Association, and 75% of psychology graduate students are women.Based on this trend, we’re likely to see many more names of women psychologists in the future, noting their continued contributions to this field.
16 Sources
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American Psychological Association.Mary Whiton Calkins.
Van Rosmalen L, Van der Veer R, Van der Horst F.Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Procedure: The origin of an instrument.J Hist Behav Sci. 2015;51(3):261-284. doi:10.1002/jhbs.21729
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Hollingworth LS.Functional periodicity; an experimental study of the mental and motor abilities of women during menstruation.
The Melanie Klein Trust.The beginnings of child analysis.
Waska R.The flexible function of the modern Kleinian psychoanalytic approach: Interpreting through the unbearable security of paranoid and depressive phantasies.Am J Psychoanal. 2016;76:219-239. doi:10.1057/s11231-016-9045-6
American Psychological Association.Mamie Phipps Clark, PhD, and Kenneth Clark, PhD.
Vassar College.Christine Ladd-Franklin.Vassar Encyclopedia.
Britannica.Christine Ladd-Franklin.
American Psychological Association.Margaret Floy Washburn, PhD.
University of Oregon.Celebrating Women’s History Month: The ladies of psychology.
Clay RA.Women outnumber men in psychology, but not in the field’s top echelons.Monitor on Psychology.2017;48(7):18.
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